Chapter 157: Indications

Chapter 157: Indications

Sensing Beauty Tang’s softening stance, Noble Consort Duan spoke even more gently, "It's common for you not to trust me, Sister Tang, but having bared my soul today, I am committed to this. Besides, you are currently more favored than me. If you speak ill of me to the Emperor, I have no defense. But consider, it’s already the sixth year of Jianzhao. With the triennial selection coming next year, how can we compete with younger and fresher beauties?"

Beauty Tang, stirred by these words, fell silent for a moment.

Noble Consort Duan continued softly, "There’s another matter you might not be aware of."

"What is it?" asked Beauty Tang, looking up.

"Sun Beauty from Yufu Palace has been seen frequently with Yi Shunyi lately," Noble Consort Duan revealed without hesitation. This was one of the reasons she sought out Beauty Tang.

"Sun Beauty?" Beauty Tang expressed mild surprise. Sun Beauty, known for her charming appearance and minor favor, resided in Yufu Palace. Why was she now in cahoots with Yi Shunyi from Changxin Palace?

"I don’t know why," speculated Noble Consort Duan. "But consider Yi Shunyi. Don't you think she resembles the Empress? Plus, she’s literate and reportedly talented, following the same path as Consort Lu. With the Emperor visiting Jinlan Garden less, Yi Shunyi might be boosting Sun Beauty to vie for favor."

"Resemble?" Beauty Tang was momentarily distracted from her original intent of humiliating Noble Consort Duan. "Yi Shunyi is certainly beautiful, but she's far from matching the Empress. How can they resemble each other?"

"Not in appearance," Noble Consort Duan clarified. "Don’t you think Yi Shunyi's style and grace mirror the Empress's? With her talent, wouldn’t the Emperor think of her when the Empress is indisposed?"

She lowered her voice, "A palace maid of mine once served in Changxin Palace. She said that when the Empress was pregnant with Princess Huayang and later recuperating in Yaohua Palace, Yi Shunyi received quite a bit of favor."

Beauty Tang was taken aback and after a long silence said, "So now, with the Empress in better health and Consort Lu, a talented beauty, at the forefront, Yi Shunyi turns to Sun Beauty? But Sun Beauty resides in Consort He’s Yufu Palace. It’s unclear who would benefit from Yi Shunyi's actions."

"Consort He is pregnant," Noble Consort Duan reminded her. "And the Emperor rarely visits her even once a month. How could she hinder Sun Beauty?"

Returning to her point, she added, "Sister Tang, among us with some favor but no children, what do you think about my proposal earlier?"

Beauty Tang gave her a steady look and then slowly nodded in agreement.

Beauty Tang ceased her antagonism towards Noble Consort Duan. However, Jiang Hui fell ill due to the stress of compiling a book.

Unable to leave the palace, she and Consort Lu had to rely on the collections in the Langhua Pavilion and the Imperial Academy to write their book on women's history. Yet, to achieve a detailed and authentic account, these sources were insufficient.

As consorts, they naturally couldn't leave the palace to examine real objects, consult local records, or interview elders. Consort Lu suggested that her family had an extensive collection of books, which might contain the needed records.

For a noble family like the Lu's, maintaining their library was paramount. Loss of wealth or even life was bearable, but not the loss of their books. However, with a letter from Consort Lu, an imperial edict from the Inner Court carried by Qiu Kui, and implicit support from the Emperor, the head of the Lu family reluctantly agreed to lend the books.

The Emperor was pleased with this development and rewarded Consort Lu by promoting her to the third-rank position of Jieyu.

The Emperor's keen interest in a book about women's history led to speculations among his ministers, with the Cui family among them.

Following Consort Lu’s promotion to Jieyu, the head of the Cui family sought an audience with the Emperor, donating half of their family library. The donation, not a loan, mostly comprised manuscripts, adding significantly to the collection.

With a vast number of books sent to the palace, Jiang Hui and Consort Jieyu Lu were overwhelmed, and both fell ill due to the hot weather.

It was June, the hottest month of the year. Xiao Lang, having finished his studies at the Chongwen Academy, traveled by carriage to Fengyi Palace, then hurried to Jiang Hui's bedside as the sun set.

Jiang Hui lay in the warm chamber, with Xiao Sheng sitting beside her, holding Huayang in his arms and a scroll in his hand.

Xiao Lang greeted his father and mother before approaching, "Mother, has the imperial physician examined you? You must take care of yourself and not overwork."

His small stature contrasted with his mature and caring words, making Jiang Hui smile gently, "Nian'er, don't worry. Your mother is fine. I just need a day or two of rest."

Xiao Sheng added, "Your mother was just reading, caught by me. Nian'er, persuade your mother to rest."

Jiang Hui shot him a look, then turned to Xiao Lang, "What did your teacher teach today? Is there anything you didn’t understand, Nian'er?"

Xiao Lang replied, "Master Chu was teaching us 'Zuo Zhuan', and today we studied the chapter on King Wu of Chu attacking Sui."

Xiao Sheng, showing interest, asked, "Nian'er, do you understand the meaning of 'Be loyal to the people and earn the trust of the gods'?"①

Jiang Hui remained silent, quietly watching Nian'er.

If explained straightforwardly, this phrase means to be loyal to the people and thereby gain the trust of the gods. A better answer would refer to Ji Liang's advice to the Marquis of Sui, suggesting he govern wisely to make the people prosperous, content, and virtuous.

But Xiao Lang simply looked at his father and replied with the original text, "For the people are the lords of the spirits."②

Xiao Sheng's expression became complex. He put the ancient book in his right hand down on the side table and, touching his son's head, sighed, "Nian'er, you have learned well."

Huayang, who was in the Emperor's lap, stood up and said happily, "Brother is so smart!"

The child's innocent words lightened the Emperor's mood. He smiled and said, "Nian'er, you needn't return to Yanying Palace after dinner tonight. Tomorrow, come with me, and I will take you to the Chongwen Pavilion."

The next day, after the Emperor and Nian'er had left, Autumn Kui approached and reported, "Mistress, the imperial physician has also seen Lu Jiyu. However, she seems to have suffered from the summer heat, and the physician said she needs a few more days of rest."

Jiang Hui nodded and instructed, "Which physician attended Lu Jiyu? Summon him to Fengyi Palace; I want to inquire."

Autumn Kui immediately responded, "It was Physician Yan."

"Physician Yan?" Jiang Hui raised an eyebrow. Physician Yan had some secrets, but for the past half year, he had been behaving appropriately, not causing any trouble.

"Yes," Autumn Kui spoke softly, "Mistress, when I visited Tangli Palace on your order, I happened to meet Physician Yan attending to her. Lu Jiyu's maid, Lu Qin, seemed a bit uneasy when she saw me."

——

Note: ①② are from "Zuo Zhuan: Ji Liang's Advice on Pursuing the Chu Army."